Everything But Mine

Hello loves! I know I have been absent for a while but I have been very ill during this time and no computers were allowed in hospital! But I haven't abandoned you and my stories and will work on them again. I hope you enjoy this new chapter.

The high street was busting with shoppers despite the late hour. Music was coming from somewhere, but Draco's attention was focused on his companion. She had taken his arm and was chatting about how adorable the evening was.

Draco was in heaven. Not that he minded the Muggles, they had no significance tonight. Sure they were all odd to him, but as long as they didn't attack him or his mate, he would be amicable to them.

It seemed that the Muggles didn't pose any threat to him or his mate. Some of them were sitting on benches, chatting and chewing some sort of food he hadn't seen before, others were carrying bags of purchases and nodding their heads along to some invisible music, whilst some threads hung from their ears.

'I've never been to this town before,' Hermione said and smiled. 'It's always fun to visit new places.'

'I am happy you allowed me to come here with you...it must be awkward as I...I have never really been around Muggles.'

'It's not awkward for me. After all, you're behaving normally so none of the Muggles will have any suspicion.' She squeezed his hand reassuringly.

'I just feel like I am a burden to you. You've given up your usual job to look after my parole...'

'Draco, there's no need for you to feel like you're indebted to me. If I didn't want to help you, I would've said no.'

'I wish there was a way I could repay you for all the good you're doing for me,' Draco said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

'Frankly, I was slowly running out of interesting cases, as most were either criminals with long sentences or people who did crimes with short punishments...'

'I am very glad that you chose to help me. I'm unworthy of your time.'

'Draco, please stop this. You are worth my tome and giving you a normal life is my goal. Now, stop apologizing. I'll count this outing into your form for Muggle culture studies also.'

'Thank you,' he said and rested his hand on her waist. It seemed that she was okay with his touch so he decided to walk closer to her. Some young Muggle men stared at her, but when Draco glared back at them, they diverted their gaze. No one was allowed to want his mate.

'Look, Draco, isn't it gorgeous?' Hermione asked as they stopped by a jewelry shop display. 'Muggles have a special way with designing jewelry.'

Draco knew that she was pointing at the pink pearl and diamond necklace in the centre of the window.

'Let's go in and a have a closer look at it,' he said and dragged her towards the door.

'Draco, I don't want to... '

'There's no harm in asking to see it, is there?' he asked as he opened the door for her.

'I've never been in a shop like that,' she complained but walked into the shop.

'Then it's just the time,' he said and advanced towards the counter confidently.

'We'd like to see the pink pearl necklace from your window,please.'

The shop girl looked flustered for a moment but got out of her haze. 'Of course, sir. Just a moment.'

Hermione gasped as the girl put the necklace on the counter. The rows of pink pearls shone in the bright light of the shop and the heart shaped diamond glistened beautifully in its pink shades.

'Hermione, you should try it on,' Draco offered. He lifted the necklace from the velvet stand and brushed her hair aside so he could put the jewel on.

'It's gorgeous,' Hermione gasped as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.

'Do you have any other items like this?' Draco whispered to the salesperson.

'Oh yes, we do actually.... there's an armband and a tiara, in a similar style of this....would you like to see it?'

'Yes,' he said and smiled brilliantly at the sales girl. She blushed and turned tot he locked cabinet to retrieve the two other parts of the set.

'It's so pretty,' Hermione said as she tried to undo the necklace.

'Don't take it off,' Draco said as he stood behind her. 'There's two other things to match this.'

'But Draco...' she protested in vain and gasped as the tiara and bracelet were put in front of her.

'There's no harm in trying it on,' Draco declared.

'The designer intended this as a wedding or engagement set, ' the sales girl explained. 'But when we put the tiara in the window many little girls wanted to have it...'

'You look like a princess,' Draco said as he put the tiara on her head.

Hermione smiled. 'Well, it was nice to try it on...' Hermione said and undid the bracelet.

'We'll take all this,' Draco said and handed the sales girl the Muggle card he had gotten today.

'As you wish, sir,' the girl said and took the platinum card.

'Draco, you can't do this! Did you look at the price?' Hermione asked.

'It's not more than my mother used to spend for costume jewelry. And I like how this looks on you, so it's a present. Will you want to hurt me by declining my present?'

'But Draco, it's too much!'

'No more buts, dearest,' he said as he signed the receipt.

'I think you should leave it on,' Draco said as he adjusted the tiara,' but we'd like to have the boxes for them, too.'

Hermione tried to protest, but Draco's insistence won over. She couldn't deny his big puppy dog eyes.

The sales girl quickly gathered the velvet jewel boxes. She was so happy as this purchase was over fifty thousand pounds so her commission would be more than than the set wage she got.


'You didn't have to do this,' Hermione said as draco cmiled triumphantly as he collected the bag from the girl.

'And that's what makes this all way more fun. I wanted to give you a present. And I love how the tiara looks on you!'

'Thank you,' she said and blushed. They were out again on the high street. No one paid attention to the fine jewels she wore because they didn't even think the pearls and diamonds were real. It was common for young women do don tiaras or angel wings and go to a party.

At the end of the long pedestrian street there was a small carnival, consisting of an arena for dodgem rides and a small teacup twirl for the kids.
Next to the kids' ride there were a few of the lucky crane machines,s tufed with plush toys or other little things. Draco watched the carnival in awe.

'I think I am scared of those bumping rides,' he said apprehensively.

'I am no good at them either,' Hermione confessed. 'I always get stuck and can't move along in them.

'I'd like to try that machine, Draco said as he watched a young man win a fluffy bunny for his girl.

'I don't know how likely one is to get a prize. My mother somehow always managed to win one for me.'

'Then I shall win one for you too!' he said with determination.

He went to the machine with the biggest toys in them and set his eye on a white bunny with a golden tie. Draco took out his wallet and took out one of the bigger coins.

'And no magical cheating,' Hermione said as she stood behind him.

Draco failed his first attempt. The claw grasped the toy but it didn't hold on to it. The next attempt was better but still not it.

'I will win this!' draco said with determination.

Hermione thought that he looked admirable when his handsome face was taken over by concentration. The third attempt, closer to winning again, was unsuccessful by just a few inches.

'the silly machine won't win me!' draco declared and started the fourth attempt. This time the claw's grasp was strong enough and the bunny fell into the prize drop.
Draco got it out and presented it to Hermione with a triumphant grin.

'Thank you, Draco,' she said and hugged him, the big plushie stuck between them.

'You're welcome,' he said and dared to peck her cheek a little.

'Maybe we should get something to eat?' Hermione asked, blushing as he was still holding her. She knew that Muggles would assume that they were just a happy couple on a night out.

'Wherever you want to go,' Draco said, not wanting to let her go. They were safe here in this Muggle place. No one would tell her that she was silly for helping him. And he was very happy that she was accepting him and his presents. His veela heart would've broken if she had not wanted to go out with him. He knew that this wasn't a date but to him, it didn't matter that she thought it was an outing for his parole conditions.

Hermione took the bunny from Draco and hooked her arm through his.

'I am sure there's someplace nice we could find, ' Hermione said as she looked at him. She loved it when he smiled. Then it seems that all the pain and suffering he had been through in the past had gone. 'Is there any specific type of cuisine you'd like to have?'

'Anything you'd like, Hermione. But maybe there's some kind of food popular with Muggles and less popular in our world?'

'Let me think about that,' she said as she looked around. It was a wonderful evening and she felt amazing in his company. Sure, she liked the jewels but somehow, his quest to win her the toy from the machine was even more so admirable. She had always envied girls whose boyfriends would win the toys for them. It was a silly and mundane thing but she thought it was sweet. However, she couldn't imagine Viktor being so at ease in the Muggle world.

'Maybe we could go for pizza?' Hermione asked as she spotted a small pizzeria across the road.

'What's pizza?'Draco asked, truly curious.

'Ir's like a flatbread with a topping of cheese, meats and sauce. It's really tasty.'

'Why don't we go there then? I've never tried it, but I take your word f or it,' Draco agreed cheerfully.

'Alright...' Hermione said as they crossed the road and walked to the eatery. Draco opened the door for her and drew out a chair for her at the table they chose to sit.

'I think you should choose as I have no idea what all those things are,' Draco said and put down the menu leaflet.

'Would you like your food just vegetarian or something with meat as well?'

'What type of food do they do here? It'd be nice to try both vegetarian and meat dishes,' draco said, smiling brightly at the waitress who had come to their table.

'Hermione, you order,' he said and covered her hand with his.

'Can we have a half of Margarita, a half of Peperoni and a half of barbeque chicken and a half a pizza of Hawaii?'

'Sure,' the waitress said.'If you don't finish all of it tonight I'll get you a box for the leftover s to take home. What drinks would you like?'

'Can we have a bottle of cola and Fanta?'

'I'll bring you the drinks right away,' the waitress said and turned a last glance towards Draco. Now that one was the handsomest customer she'd seen in a long while. Pity that he already had a girlfriend.

'What are those drinks you ordered?' Draco asked, curious about all the Muggle foods he had not heard before.

'They are fizzy sweet soft drinks... many people like them.'

'Then I am sure I will like them too!'

Draco wanted to make a good impression on her. He did truly like the evening in this new, unknown world but he wanted her to feel that he would become part of her world, be it Muggle or magical.

'Here are your drinks,' the waitress said and put down the tray with the glasses and bottles. 'Your food will be ready in about ten minutes.'

'So which one do you want to try first?' Hermione asked, opening the bottles.

'I think the darker one looks interesting,' Draco said and poured himself a glass.

Hermione watched as he sniffed the glass and took a sip.

'So how did you like it?' she asked.

'It's actually very nice... like sweet fizzy water.'

'That's what it pretty much is..so Draco, do you have any nice memories from your childhood?' Hermione asked to distract herself from just sitting there and staring at his beauty. There was something irresistible about his pale face and gorgeous silver eyes.

'I think of of the happiest moments was when my father got me a puppy for my fifth birthday. It was so cute and little with big floppy ears. I called it Billy. However, soon enough the dog had grown to be bigger than me. He was a German Shepherd dog, very smart and loyal. I know that father had wanted to get me a baby Hippogryff but mother had been against that. Well, you know how that kind of animal likes me,' he blushed and paused, just as the waiters appeared carrying a trays with their food.

Draco used the pause as an opportunity to stare at her. She was so perfect, so beautiful to him. Of course it couldn't be any different, she was his mate. And she cared for him. Now he only had to make her see that he loved her.

He saw that she picked up a slice from the food and did the same. He didn't want to be laughed at for being too lost in daydreaming about her.
'So where's your dog now?' Hermione asked, biting off a chunks from her slice of the margarita pizza.

'He died when I was in my fifth year...' Draco said and paused when he saw her look sad,' but there's so many memories of him I still have.'

Draco talked about his dog and made her giggle about the dog's antics in the garden. Till this day the gnomes hadn't returned to the manor's garden till this day. He loved that she laughed and was enjoying herself in his company.

There were plenty of Muggles going in and out of the pizza place but only few stayed to eat in. Draco was rather glad about that as he didn't want anyone to look at her. He couldn't help it, he wanted her to be his only.

'Would you also like some dessert?' Hermione asked as there were just a few slices of pizza left on the platter.

Draco picked up the menu and looked at the offerings. After all, Muggle sweets weren't much different from wizarding ones, he thought as he looked at the offerings. Ice cream and apple pie were things he knew well.

He saw that there was a large ice cream bowl t o share for couples, but didn't want to ask her if she wanted to share it with him, as her rejection would be too hard to take.

'I'd like to have the vanilla ice cream with the strawberry mash,' Hermione said and smiled at Draco. He was so cute when he was concentrating on something.

'Me too,' Draco agreed.

Hermione waved to the waiter and they made their order. Draco really didn't care what he got to eat, as long as he was with her. The veela in him wanted him to use the creature magic to lure her. But Draco wanted to be attractive to her for his personality and humanity. Using magic to make her love him felt like cheating to him.

'There you go, dears,' the waitress said put a large bowl of ice cream in front of them. Hermione gasped in surprise. It was the couple's portion, not the single ones they had ordered. Hermione waited for Draco to object, after all he was taking her out and paying the bill.

Draco didn't say anything to object, just smiled innocently. Hermione was so taken by his gorgeous smile that she didn't have the heart to start a fuss over this. After all, quite often friends shared portions like this, too.

'May I scoot over so I can access the bowl easier?' she asked and smiled brightly at Draco.

Draco felt like he had just reached cloud number nine. His gorgeous mate did wish to share the ice cream with him. His heart had beat so fast when he had awaited her disdain and disgust for the prospect of sharing food with him, but now he couldn't express his joy without looking strange, as he doubted Muggles would understand why he'd jump up and whoop.
But he'd certainly leave the server a good tip. They really deserved it.

Hermione didn't know what to say to him while they were devouring the dessert. Being so close to him she was hit by the realization that he was so beautiful, almost ethereally so. But she couldn't think this. He was not a prospective love interest. She was sure he'd feel horrible if he knew that she had actually started to fancy him a little.

Draco just enjoyed the moment of being with her. He didn't know what to say as the wrong words would spoil this magical moment. He knew it was silly, but he wished that the bowl of ice cream would never and and that she'd be sitting next to him forever.

All too soon the dessert was gone and he found her staring at him.

'Draco,' she started and leaned in. His heart skipped a beat. Was she going to kiss him now?

Her lips were just mere inches away from his, but then she moved and her hand came up to his cheek. She brushed something away from the corner of his lips.

'You had some strawberry mash there,' she said innocently and licked her finger.

Hermione felt like the air around her was so hot that she had a hard time to breathe. She was sure going crazy, she thought as there was no other explanation why she had wanted to kiss him so desperately. It had felt like she'd be the happiest woman alive if she would do so.

She knew that it was wrong. He was vulnerable, still not fully recovered from the strain of Azkaban and his emotions were still unstable. He would not know what was right as she knew that he was desperate to find love as he had no one else to care for him in the world and she couldn't let his hopes up when she had another prospective boyfriend on the horizon.

Draco didn't understand why she was suddenly so sullen. Had he d one something wrong? He didn't know but he wanted to make it better. Sure, he could try and ask her, but she would probably not say what was wrong due to her trying to protect his feelings. Maybe he just wasn't good company after all?

Sighing, he waved to the waitress and asked for the check. Maybe she'd tell him what was wrong when they'd return to the manor, he thought as he watched her put the remaining pizza in a box the waitress had given them. He paid the bill and left a generous tip, those Muggle Studies classes at school were finally paying off as he was grateful that he knew what to do or else he'd look like an idiot in front of her.

'Are you ready to go?' he asked, smiling brightly.

'Yes, it was a wonderful dinner,' she said but the smile on her face seemed to be forced.

She grabbed the bunny and let him take the box with the leftover pizza. They walked back to the spot they had landed in silence. She had allowed him to put his arm around her shoulders, but he was still unsure as to what could've upset his love.

Once they set off he let his veela magic wash over her. He wanted her to be happier and her unhappiness was making his heart ache. Draco knew that using his creature magic was not what she'd be happy about as Gryffindors didn't like cheating, but there was need for it.

'I think I'll go t o bed now,' Hermione said when they landed in the Manor's garden.

Draco looked sullen.

'I'm just tired,' Hermione explained, trying not too look at his crestfallen puppy dog look.

'Alright,' Draco said and hugged her. He held her close for longer than it was proper, but he didn't care. He needed to show her that he cared for her and loved her with all his heart.

'Goodnight,' she said and broke the hug. 'Thank you for the wonderful evening.'

'You're welcome,' he said and kept himself from asking her to let him come with her. 'If you need anything, you know where to find me.'

Draco couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned in his bed and then got up to pace his bedroom. Why did she not need him as desperately as he did? The veela took over him and he went to her bedroom. His gorgeous love was sleeping soundly, holding the bunny he had won for her close.

Ever so slowly, he took the toy out of her grasp and put it on the dresser. Then he slid under the covers and snuggled her close. He needed her close and he would deal with her surprise of his presence in her bed tomorrow.


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